Group-Based Asynchronous Distributed Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers in Multicore Cluster

The distributed alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm is one of the effective methods to solve the global consensus optimization problem. Considering the differences between the communication of intra-nodes and inter-nodes in multicore cluster, we propose a group-based asynchronous distributed ADMM (GAD-ADMM) algorithm: based on the traditional star topology network, the grouping layer is added. The workers are grouped according to the process allocation in nodes and model similarity of datasets, and the group local variables are used to replace the local variables to compute the global variable. The algorithm improves the communication efficiency of the system by reducing communication between nodes and accelerates the convergence speed by relaxing the global consistency constraint. Finally, the algorithm is used to solve the logistic regression problem in a multicore cluster. The experiments on the Ziqiang 4000 showed that the GAD-ADMM reduces the system time cost by 35 % compared with the AD-ADMM

Provably robust decisions based on potentially malicious sources of information

Ministry of Education, Singapore under its Academic Research Funding Tier

An Investigation of Critical Success Factors for the Implementation of Enterprises Resource Planning System in Chinese Small and Medium Enterprises

Enterprise resource planning system (ERP) has become one of the most important application information technologies for enterprise. However, the implementation of ERP system in Chinese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is not very successful. The basic purpose of this paper is to find and verify the critical success factors (CSFs) of ERP implementation in Chinese enterprises under the specific context in China. Based on an extensive literature review, four CSFs are defined, namely top management support, business process re-engineering, change management and external professional support. This paper investigates 53 enterprises that have implemented the ERP system in the form of email questionnaire. The questionnaire is based on the previous mature scale to measure CSF, ERP system success and situational factors. Data is analysed by using SPSS and statistical tests are conducted using multiple regression methods. The results confirm that the change management, business process re-engineering, and top management support are the main CSFs for the implementation of ERP system in Chinese SMEs, among which the role of change management is the most prominent, and Chinese cultural characteristics make it the most critical factor. In addition, the support of consulting company is confirmed to have no significant impact on ERP system implementation of Chinese SMEs. Reengineering the business process before ERP implementation is conducive to increasing the reorganization process and the success of ERP systems. Based on the empirical research, this paper puts forward some suggestions to Chinese SMEs on how to cultivate the capability of ERP implementation, whether to hire ERP consulting companies, how to select ERP system implementation strategies and how to handle management practice issues

Vacuum brazing between SiCp/6063 Al MMCs and Fe-Ni alloys

This research paper deals with the joining of different materials such as SiCp/6063Al MMCs and Fe-Ni alloys by means of vacuum brazing with active filler metal Ag47-Cu18-In17-Sn17-Ti1. With the optimal process parameters, i.e., brazing temperature 580 °C, soaking time of 30 min and vacuum degree of 6.5×10-3 Pa, the joint shear strength can achieve the maximum of 56 MPa. Once the brazing temperature of 580 °C has exceeded the solidus temperature of SiCp/6063Al MMCs, the specimen can still keep the original shape due to the stiffness of composites. Sufficient diffusion between brazing filler metal and SiCp/6063Al MMCs could occur across the interface in liquid phase considerably faster than that in solid phase. The component analysis indicates that the elements in filler metal such as Ag, Sn and In can diffuse into SiCp/6063Al MMCs, which is believed to be beneficial for the joint quality

Cross-view Graph Contrastive Representation Learning on Partially Aligned Multi-view Data

Multi-view representation learning has developed rapidly over the past decades and has been applied in many fields. However, most previous works assumed that each view is complete and aligned. This leads to an inevitable deterioration in their performance when encountering practical problems such as missing or unaligned views. To address the challenge of representation learning on partially aligned multi-view data, we propose a new cross-view graph contrastive learning framework, which integrates multi-view information to align data and learn latent representations. Compared with current approaches, the proposed method has the following merits: (1) our model is an end-to-end framework that simultaneously performs view-specific representation learning via view-specific autoencoders and cluster-level data aligning by combining multi-view information with the cross-view graph contrastive learning; (2) it is easy to apply our model to explore information from three or more modalities/sources as the cross-view graph contrastive learning is devised. Extensive experiments conducted on several real datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method on the clustering and classification tasks

Controlling effect of tectonic-paleogeomorphology on deposition in the south of Lufeng sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin

Paleogene depositional systems in the south of Lufeng sag have complex spatial distribution, which are influenced by pre-depositional paleogeomorphology and multi-period tectonic activities. In this paper, to clarify the controlling effect of tectonic-paleogeomorphology on sedimentary facies distribution and effectively guide oil and gas exploration, the Paleogene paleogeomorphic pattern in the south of Lufeng sag is reconstructed by the impression method, and the temporal and spatial evolution laws of the main faults are clarified. The results show that braided river deltas developed stably in the long-axis gentle slope belt of the lake basin, while the short-axis sedimentary system changed from fan deltas to braided river deltas in response to the change of active strength of dominant faults from strong to weak. It is found that the scale of the sedimentary fan is closely related to the activity of the main fault, the area of the catchment, and the vertical elevation difference. The steep cliff is controlled by the boundary fault with large fault throw and steep section, and there are wedge-shaped sand bodies near the steep cliff. The multi-level fault-step zone provides the driving force for the advancement of the sedimentary system, and the sand body extends for a long distance. It is established that the supply capacity of the source area and the accommodated space of the lake basin are coupled to control the deposition scale. Moreover, the slope controlled by the combination of paleogeomorphic assemblage and the activity of the main fault determines the sedimentary type, and the structural slope-break zone defines the spreading pattern of the sands.Cited as: Jiang, M., Chen, D., Chang, X., Shu, L., Wang, F. Controlling effect of tectonic-paleogeomorphology on deposition in the south of Lufeng sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2022, 6(5): 363-374. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2022.05.0

Tanshinone IIa protects retinal endothelial cells against mitochondrial fission induced by methylglyoxal through glyoxalase 1

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play an important role in the onset of diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, in the current study, we investigate whether and how Tanshinone IIa (Tan IIa) from Salvia miltiorrhiza protects bovine retinal endothelial cells (BRECs) against methylglyoxal (MGO) mediated cell dysfunction. The results showed that MGO reduced cell viability in dose dependent manner. The treatment of Tan IIa (50 μM) significantly improved cell viability induced by MGO in BRECs. MGO increased cellular reactive oxygen species formation and cellular nitric oxide (NO) level; enhanced nox1 and iNOS mRNA levels; inhibited prdx1 mRNA level. The treatment of Tan IIa effectually ameliorated cellular oxidative stress. Exposure of MGO resulted in mitochondrial fission and decrease of opa1 and mfn1. No significant difference in mRNA levels of mfn2 and drp1 was detected between MGO and medium. Tan IIa reduced mitochondrial fragmentation, enhanced the mRNA levels of mfn1 and opa1 in MGO cultured BRECs. The short time exposure of cellular antioxidatants, dimethylthiourea (10 mM) and tiron (10 mM) had no effect on mitochondrial fission although they ameliorated cellular reactive oxygen species level. Moreover, overexpression of glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) increased key proteins of mitochondrial fusion, including opa1 and mfn1 in BRECs cultured with MGO. However, inhibition of GLO1 by siRNA abolished the effect of Tan IIa on induction of mitochondrial fusion in MGO cultured BRECs. In conclusion, MGO caused the injury of retinal endothelial cells through induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial fission, the treatment of Tan IIa ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction and fission induced by AGEs through enhancing GLO1

Dinuclear metal complexes: multifunctional properties and applications

The development of metal complexes for optoelectronic applications is a fertile area of research. In contrast to the rigorous development of mononuclear metal complexes, dinuclear species have been less well studied and their fundamental chemistry and applications are under-explored. However, dinuclear species present special properties and functions compared with mononuclear species as a consequence of tuning the bridging ligands, the cyclometalated ligands or the two metal centers. More recently, dinuclear species have enabled important breakthroughs in the fields of OLEDs, photocatalytic water splitting and CO2 reduction, DSPEC, chemosensors, biosensors, PDT, smart materials and so on. Here we present an overview of recent developments of dinuclear metal complexes, their multifunctional properties and their various applications. The relationship between structure and property of dinuclear species and important factors which influence device performance are discussed. Finally, we illustrate some challenges and opportunities for future research into dinuclear metal complexes. This review aims to provide an up-to-date summary and outlook of functional dinuclear metal complexes and to stimulate more researchers to contribute to this exciting interdisciplinary field

Family caregiver challenges in dementia care in a country with undeveloped dementia services

Author version made available in accordance with Publisher's copyright policy. This is the accepted version of the following article: Wang J., Xiao L.D., He G.-P. & De Bellis A. (2014) Family caregiver challenges in dementia care in a country with undeveloped dementia services. Journal of Advanced Nursing 70(6), 1369–1380. , which has been published in final form at [doi: 10.1111/jan.12299]. In addition, authors may also transmit, print and share copies with colleagues, provided that there is no systematic distribution of the submitted version, e.g. posting on a listserve, network or automated delivery.Aims To examine socially, culturally and politically constructed factors affecting family caregiver practice in dementia care, and to identify possible changes in a country with undeveloped dementia services. Background In China and many other low- and middle-income countries, social transformations are weakening the family care model, which has an impact on the population with dementia. Exploring the challenges that caregivers face may help the international healthcare community to improve dementia services. Design A double hermeneutic approach informed by Giddens' Structuration Theory was used. Methods In-depth semi-structured interviews with 23 family caregivers of people with dementia were conducted in 2012. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed. Findings Analyses revealed three consequences of socially constructed factors in dementia care, which constrained caregiver practice. First, caregivers were unable to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Untreated aggressive behaviours caused harm to the person with dementia and endangered the caregiver and the public. Second, the burden on the primary caregiver was evident and caregivers received limited support. Third, there was little coordination between primary and specialist care services for people with dementia. On critical reflection of potential changes that could improve dementia services, caregivers suggested that community nurses have a leading role in coordinating dementia services and supporting caregivers. Conclusion Relying on family caregivers to care for people with dementia without the prevision of dementia services by the public healthcare system generates negative health outcomes for both care recipients and caregivers. The nursing workforce should be developed to support dementia services

Criteria and favorable distribution area prediction of Paleogene effective sandstone reservoirs in the Lufeng Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin

As the focus of conventional oil and gas exploration is changing from shallow to deep layers, the identification of deep effective reservoirs is crucial to exploration and development. In this paper, based on the geological anatomy of oil and gas reservoirs, a new discriminatory criterion and evaluation method for effective reservoirs is proposed in combination with the analysis of reservoir formation dynamics mechanism. The results show that the hydrocarbon properties of the reservoir vary with the ratio of the capillary force between the sandstone reservoir and its surrounding rock. The effective reservoir is discriminated and the reservoir quality is evaluated based on the capillary force and depth of the surrounding media and the sandstone reservoir for adjacent plates. When the capillary force ratio is greater than 0.6, fewer effective reservoirs are developed. The effective reservoir is determined by the capillary force ratio of the sandstone reservoir and the surrounding rock medium to mechanically explain the geological phenomenon that low-porosity reservoirs can also accumulate hydrocarbons. Our findings have significant guiding value for Paleogene oil and gas exploration in the Zhu I depression of Pearl River Mouth Basin.Cited as: Yu, S., Wang, C., Chen, D., Guo, B., Cai, Z., Xu, Z. Criteria and favorable distribution area prediction of Paleogene effective sandstone reservoirs in the Lufeng Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2022, 6(5): 388-401. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2022.05.0